China surpassed the U.S. this year to become the number one in the world for installed wind power generating capacity. In the last six years, installed wind power generating capacity in China increased from 2,000 megawatts (MW) to 52,580 MW, according to the country’s state grid company, the State Grid Corporation, which is the country’s largest utility company. In 2011, China generated 70.6 terrawatt hours (TWh) of wind power, a 96 percent increase. The Chinese government projects that China’s wind generating capacity would be more than 100,000 MW in 2015 and 200,000 MW in 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

China's on-grid capacity reached over 50 gigawatts (GW) to date, according to the State Grid Corporation. This year on-grid wind power capacity under State Grid reached 50.26 GW, an annual growth rate of 87 percent for the last six years.

"We have gone through a lot to reach this point," said Shu Yingbiao, deputy managing director of the State Grid Corporation at a press conference. "As the wind-generating capacity increases, the industry standard perfects, and the technology improves, the state grid is becoming more and more vital to the fast development of the wind power generation. The company has successfully solved many problems during the course."

Zhang Zhengling, spokesman for the State Grid, said China’s wind power generation reached a "relatively high level" after measures were taken to monitor and adjust use. However, there could be more efficiency. Regional networks need to be linked to the national power grid, and until that is accomplished it remains an obstacle to further growth, Zhang said.